GDPR regarding mobile numbers?

Rich-Allen1976 · Post by **Rich-Allen1976** » 12 Jan 2024, 18:40

How legal is it for companies to sell mobile numbers for advertising and stuff under GDPR? I know not to put my mobile number anywhere online unless it's a requirement for ID like job applications and stuff, however I keep getting sales calls on the mobile from companies I've never dealt with before and probably wouldn't.

Like yesterday morning, someone rang up trying to sell me a new washing machine! Being in a Housing Association Flat, that kind of thing is serviced/provided by them, so why would I ring an external company/how did they get my number?

I am aware of Google, and I'm a bit concerned about this.

Post by **Ojisama** » 12 Jan 2024, 22:54

Hmm. Not entirely sure on this one.

GDPR does say that your personal details cannot be shared without your consent, BUT some forms require you to opt in, and some forms require you to opt out so you need to read the statements carefully. For example, your Bank will share details with subsidiary companies unless you say no.

It is also possible that your details were obtained through the hack of an organisation and then they were sold on by the hackers. Some years ago, when Yahoo was hacked, my account was one of those that got compromised. There was a different attitude then, and I didn't find out until months later.

Post by **LilMissLarBear** » 13 Jan 2024, 09:38

Some companies are sneaky about it because it could depend on where they are situated and data protection laws can vary between country to country. To be clear *all* personal data should be protected under the GDPR. Like Oji said it's possible for personal details to be breached. Depending on the database design and the companies protocols it's actually not hard if they are not thorough with security. They could also claim you consented which sometimes the consent is more discreet than others and you may have accidentally done that. I would absolutely raise this point to whoever you last gave details to because I've had fallen into a scam once where I gave details to what looks like a legitimate site but I had details sold off to elsewhere and they claimed I signed up to them for some kind of service (never did) which lead them to charge me £30 for a service I never signed up for. I made a complaint that I never gave bank details or an email and even threatened with the police

Rich-Allen1976 · Post by **Rich-Allen1976** » 15 Jan 2024, 21:15

Ojisama wrote: ↑
12 Jan 2024, 22:54
Hmm. Not entirely sure on this one.

GDPR does say that your personal details cannot be shared without your consent, BUT some forms require you to opt in, and some forms require you to opt out so you need to read the statements carefully. For example, your Bank will share details with subsidiary companies unless you say no.

It is also possible that your details were obtained through the hack of an organisation and then they were sold on by the hackers. Some years ago, when Yahoo was hacked, my account was one of those that got compromised. There was a different attitude then, and I didn't find out until months later.

And THAT right there's how they get away with it most of the time, these companies aren't daft, they know almost nobody actually reads the small print on anything.